Language

English developed from Anglo-Saxon and is a Germanic Language. However, all the invading peoples, particularly the Norman French, influenced the English language and you can find many words in English which are French in origin. Nowadays all Welsh, Scottish and Irish people speak English (even if they speak their own language as well), but all the countries have their own special accent and dialects, and their people are easily recognizable as soon as they speak. Occasionally, people from the four countries in the UK have difficulty in understanding one another because of these different accents. A southern English accent is generally accepted to be the most easily understood, and is the accent usually taught to foreigners.

Of some 3,000 existing languages, large and small, English is second only to Chinese in number of speakers. It has well over 300 million native speakers, plus probably as many more who handle it as an acquired tongue. It enjoys the widest distribution of any language on earth, appearing in many countries on every continent as an official tongue, and unofficially in many more. Over half of the world’s scientific publications, books, newspapers, and magazines are English.

In international congresses and gatherings, English is used more often than any other tongue. More than half of the world’s radio and television programs are English, and it is the language most commonly used in the world’s airways and seaways.

Religions in Britain

Ask most foreigners about religion in Britain and you’ll get a simple answer: ”The British belong to the Church of England”. There is some truth in this statement but it is by no means the whole story. Let us start by looking at some of the numerous religions groups practicing their faiths in Britain today.

The Church of England

The Church of England (or the Anglican Church) is a Protestant church and the official state religions of England (although membeship is not, of course, compulsory). The Queen is the Head of the Church of England and she, with the advice of the Prime Minister and others, appoints the senior members of the clergy – the archbishops, bishops and deans.

The Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland is recognized as the official religion of Scotland. It is a protestant church.

The Roman Catholic Church

About 10 percent of the population of Britain are Roman Catholics including more then one third of the population of Northern Ireland.

The Free Churches

There are several Protestant churches in Britain which, unlike the churches of England and Scotland, are not officially recognized as state religions. These are called the Free Churches, the most important of which are the Methodists, Baptists, and the United Reform Church.

Non-Christian Religions

There are large numbers of Commonwealth citizens an Britain whose ancestors came from such countries as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In spite of the great variety of forms of worship, only a minority of people regularly go to church in Britain today. Most people see Sunday more as a day for relaxing with the family or for doing jobs around the house and the garden.